I thought all of DS's options were team options. DS and his agent reportedly tried to play hardball with the Magic and eventually the magic had used up their payroll and roster, and DS with no suitors. A rare instance of Ernie "I'm the Sucker at the Table" Grunfeld having leverage, as he signed both Songaila and Stevenson (the original Okariza) to offset the crippling loss of Jeffries. But you know, maybe it was a player option. I could see EG having all that leverage and still blowing it.

Nene has played in just five games as he recovers from plantar fasciitis in his left foot but Grunfeld points out that with the Brazilian big man playing limited minutes, the Wizards have won two of those games. They lost in overtime in the other two, including his debut in Atlanta, where the Wizards will have a chance on Friday to avenge one of the toughest losses of the season.

The Wizards have had 10 games decided by seven games or fewer, including three that went beyond regulation. They have also improved defensively, ranking 16th in points allowed (97.9), and are one of the league’s better rebounding teams, ranking 10th at 43.2 per game.

“Randy has got these guys playing hard and competing on a nightly basis,” he said. “I think the character of our players is showing.”

Klay Thompson is my new favorite NBA player. "God is good," were his words after his record 37 point quarter.His defense on James Harden was also impressive.He also credits his father.#RESPECTFUL

Whenever I read anything from Grunfeld or Ted, all I really get out of it is "Yes, we're terrible, but if we had been a little bit luckier over the past month, we probably would be mediocre instead!"

I really wish they'd all just stop talking altogether. I'm not really the quoting type, but the old "better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt" adage seems pretty applicable.

montestewart wrote:EG put an option in Deshawn Stevenson's contract, then found himself morbidly compelled to resign DS to a four year, $15 million dollar deal, when there were no other apparent bidders for DS's services. EG learned from this real life gothic horror. No more option years or milkshakes right before bedtime.

I am pretty certain that there were no options involved in Deshawn's contract. EG just wanted Deshawn and was willing to bid against himself to get him. To make matters worse, that was the off season that Juan Carlos Navarro finally said he wanted to play in the NBA. EG could have had Juan Carlos Navarro for less, and on a shorter contract. But, EG had his heart set on Deshawn and he got him. However, since he put a priority on signing Deshawn Stevenson, the trade market dried up on Juan Carlos Navarro, and the trade offers went from a guarnteed first from a contender like Miami to a highly protected first round pick from Memphis (the pick was so protected that at the time it looked like Washington would never get anything but cash).

Ariza - all nba perimeter defender. We have searched for him for a decade. Livingston the highest BBIQ backup point guard we have ever had. Okafor is way better than Haywood.My problem with EG his inability to sign these outstanding free fits for the washington with a 2nd year team option.

All Stevenson can't sniff Ariza's jock strap. Ariza was critical piece of a championship team and is probably the best perimeter defender we have ever had. He also has league wide Respect for guarding elite perimeter players like Kobe well. Ariza is a serious piece to our puzzle going forward as well livingston. Okafor is decent just paid to much. Price is nice but no where near Livingston as far as wizard future goes. If EG figures out how to get livingston, webster, and ariza to commit beyond this season before the end of December, i believe that is grounds for giving EG a contract extension. Just let Newman changed the culture.

Wiz'Wise'Wall'Paul'MotionCamera"dynasty-JWALL Worst handles league Get slow motion camera watch # many times Wall bounces ball in 2 seconds offpickcompared 2 CPaul Now compare how much rose moves the ball in air after jumping off 1 foot compare Wall!

WizarDynasty wrote:Ariza - all nba perimeter defender. We have searched for him for a decade. Livingston the highest BBIQ backup point guard we have ever had. Okafor is way better than Haywood.My problem with EG his inability to sign these outstanding free fits for the washington with a 2nd year team option.

All Stevenson can't sniff Ariza's jock strap. Ariza was critical piece of a championship team and is probably the best perimeter defender we have ever had. He also has league wide Respect for guarding elite perimeter players like Kobe well. Ariza is a serious piece to our puzzle going forward as well livingston. Okafor is decent just paid to much. Price is nice but no where near Livingston as far as wizard future goes. If EG figures out how to get livingston, webster, and ariza to commit beyond this season before the end of December, i believe that is grounds for giving EG a contract extension. Just let Newman changed the culture.

WizarDynasty wrote:Ariza - all nba perimeter defender. We have searched for him for a decade. Livingston the highest BBIQ backup point guard we have ever had. Okafor is way better than Haywood.My problem with EG his inability to sign these outstanding free fits for the washington with a 2nd year team option.

... If EG figures out how to get livingston, webster, and ariza to commit beyond this season before the end of December, i believe that is grounds for giving EG a contract extension.

Oh absolutely... give him the Nobel Prize if he can get Ariza and Okafor extended beyond this year. A contract extension isn't enough.

Here's a question for you: what would it be like if you spoke about this subject after first learning something about it?

Okafor and Ariza are *both* under contract next year (in Ariza's case, he has a player-option at North of $7m, which you can be sure he'll take. He ain't making that kind of $$ anywhere else!).

So... now that we can't *extend* Ernie, can we fire him instead?

People say I'm mellowing with age. Nah.

It is still not possible to formulate a counter-argument -- even if I say... Is so!

I was listening to ESPN last night. They were ranking franchises that just want to win a Super Bowl.The Ravens were in the First Tier.

Difference between a mediocre and great franchise is that a great franchise will NEVER embrace mediocrity, while a mediocre franchise makes excuses.

When LA thought they were going in the wrong direction, they quickly fired the coach and replaced with a "better" one.

When Baltimore broke their home winning streak AND lost twice in a row for the first time in YEARS, they made an organizational change.

In Washington, we talk about how we are not a destination. How we need continuity.

EG, not the coach, should have been gone years ago. We are a destination. Players want to win championships and get paid.

I was listening to the Junkies interview an ex Raven...forgot his name. He had played with other teams before coming to Baltimore...but he said..."once a Raven, always a Raven." They have an identity, a system. Even if they didn't have Ray Lewis, they'd still be good.

Washington should have a system a program...but we don't. The Raven's move took me by surprise, but they sent a clear message. The Wizards send a messages to the league, players, and fans that they are not truly serious. I really hope Ted figures it out soon.

I agree but also think thata) It's really hard to get grown men, especially athletes to buy into a systemb) It's really hard to build that system without a leader or established credc) Randy Whitman looks to have some cache but EG HAS to go. Players aren't dummies. Booker is mad that Ves and Singleton are drafted who are in turn mad that Ariza was signed who in turn is pissed that Webster was signed. If we can see it, they can definitely see it too. And you think we're mad that crawford is a ballhogging gunner? Try playing on the court and losing with that guy. Despite all of this, they like Whit. So... who do they resent? Management. Easy peasy.

Yea, Ted's happy just selling tickets.. Which is a little odd, after seeing how empty the arena looked during one of the games I saw on NBANet.. But, like with the Caps he's afraid to take any real chances, in fear of.. Hell, Im not even buying that anymore.. What the hell is he waiting for?? The Bullets **** suck for cripes sake?? At least the Caps are relavant.. Im beginning to think Ted just doesnt have the nads to fire ANYONE!! He's not fired a single person since he bought the teams.. Always lets his GM's do the dirty work.. Dude is just a piss poor owner..